After lying in bed for several days, Lu Changping was finally able to get out of bed and walk around.

She never expected that the medicine Qu Zikun found would cause her so much suffering.

Fortunately, since Qu Zikun married her, he had never spent a single day in her room, which allowed her to keep the fact that she was not pregnant a secret.

She had just stepped out of the house and taken a deep breath of fresh air when she heard voices coming from the corner of the wall.

The voice was very soft, as if they were talking about something secret.

These days, Lu Changping is like a frightened bird; any slight disturbance will arouse her vigilance.

The sound coming from the corner made her wonder if her secret had been discovered by everyone in the household.

Thinking of this, she tiptoed closer to the source of the sound.

She eavesdropped for a while before she understood what the two maids were talking about—the scandal that had occurred in the new capital in recent days.

What she didn't expect was that the person behind this scandal was actually Lu Qiqi.

"Let's go, the yard still needs sweeping, or we'll be too late if we don't start now."

"I'll go get the broom, you go get the bucket of water and wipe the railing under the eaves."

After saying this, the two maids who had been chatting quickly left to get back to work.

They had no idea that their words had been overheard by someone else.

Lu Changping was gloating; she was overjoyed to learn that Lu Qiqi was not doing well.

After searching the courtyard and asking the servants, he learned that Yuqing had left the mansion. He then returned to the mansion alone to rest, secretly pleased with himself.

Lu Changping was not the only one gloating over this.

In the courtyard of the second branch of the Marquis of Lin'an's mansion, Chen Siqi and Chen Siyi sat facing each other, each holding a cup of hot tea and sipping it lightly, with burning silver charcoal beside them.

As spring approaches, the weather is still cold and windy. If a household is still using charcoal at this time, it is either very wealthy or extremely extravagant.

The two sisters' father was a shrewd businessman who had made a lot of money over the years. He had never been stingy with their spending, and their monthly allowance was more than that of other young ladies from other families.

It just means they'll need a few more months' worth of charcoal than others, but the second wife can still afford it.

When Chen Siqi heard the news her maid had gathered, her smile almost overflowed.

She said, "Serves her right. She made such a conspicuous entrance when she first arrived. Now that she has offended the censor, she'll be in for a world of hurt."

Chen Siyi's mind wasn't on Song Yanqing, so naturally she couldn't stand by her sister's side. Her not pouring cold water on the situation was a sign of her kindness.

A moment later, Chen Siyi finished her tea and still wanted to remind Chen Siqi, "Sister, do you really want to marry the heir of the Prince of Libei?"

Chen Siqi rolled her eyes at her, as if rebuking her with her eyes. Was it really necessary for her to repeat herself when it was so obvious?

However, although her younger sister is two years younger than her, she is more thoughtful and often helps her deal with things.

Therefore, when she is in a good mood, she will also consider her words carefully and will not easily offend her younger sister.

Chen Siqi said, "That's natural. How many noble ladies in the capital who are still young and do not want to marry the heir of the Prince of Libei?"

Moreover, the opportunity to be granted an imperial title now makes it even more coveted.

Actually, the reason she liked Song Yanqing was not only because he was favored by the Empress Dowager, but also because he was as handsome as Pan An, making it hard not to be attracted to him.

Seeing her flushed cheeks and lovestruck expression, Chen Siyi didn't want to expose her little secret.

After a moment, she said, "Sister, have you thought this through? Apart from rebellion, His Majesty the Emperor will never allow the Prince of Libei to have the opportunity to become the emperor."

It was then that Chen Siqi finally understood why her younger sister had never cared about the Crown Prince.

Even sending the portrait to the Empress Dowager's palace was delayed until time became urgent, at which point the painter hurriedly finished the task.

It turns out that her younger sister has such ambitions; she had underestimated her!

Seeing Chen Siqi's surprised expression, Chen Siyi was not surprised and continued, "Although the party struggle is fierce, we sisters can choose the right time to enter the game."

The Marquis of Lin'an's mansion is unique in the capital, both in terms of its influence and its financial and material resources.

If I assist the new emperor and secure a high position, wouldn't I be able to sit side by side with him?

Although His Majesty has fathered many princes, he has only given a few important positions. We sisters are bound to be lucky enough to have one of them chosen.

That's true, but Chen Siqi doesn't have such high aspirations.

Seeing that she pursed her lips and remained silent, Chen Siyi knew her answer. "In that case, I wish you all the best in realizing your dreams soon."

Having said that, the two did not continue their conversation.

After all, people with different values ​​cannot work together, and trying to persuade them to stop arguing would only hurt their relationship.

......

For the past two days, Lu Qiqi has been staying in her aunt Xuan Wenying's room.

The Marquis of Lin'an's mansion took Lu Changping back to their residence and later prepared a dowry for her, which cost a lot of money.

Lu Qiqi was here to settle her expenses and dowry.

These silver coins are evidence of Lu Changping's fraud. Even if she marries into the Anchang Marquis's mansion, she will still have to return the money bit by bit.

If the Marquis of Anchang was involved, then it wouldn't be unreasonable to have them sell land and shops to compensate for the loss.

Moreover, she was quite certain that the Marquis of Anchang's family must have played a significant role in this.

After all, the Earl of Anchang had even sold land in Luzhou Prefecture.

That was the place that the Earl of Anchang left for himself to live out his remaining years in peace.

Regardless of the era, people always yearn to return to their roots, and when they get old, they long to go back to their hometown.

An Changbo sold off his hometown land at a low price, which shows how difficult things were at the time.

Xuan Wenying took two scrolls and handed one of them to Lu Qiqi, saying, "This is the list of dowry items."

Lu Qiqi took the scroll, gently unfurled it, and saw that it was covered with densely packed small characters.

It's easy to see from these dowries that the maternal grandmother genuinely treated Lu Changping as her granddaughter.

She had also heard some news in the mansion that her maternal grandmother did not want to see Lu Changping.

Looking back now, it was probably because of Lu Changping's appearance that she felt her mother, Chen Wenjun, had been wronged by marrying the wrong person.

Xuan Wenying then handed over another scroll. "Parents who love their children plan far ahead for them."

The old lady only placed her hopes on that swindler because she loved her daughter dearly; little did she know she was a fraud!

At this point, Xuan Wenying paused for a long time before continuing, "Fortunately, Heaven took pity on you and brought you sisters back."

Otherwise, the old lady would never know the truth in her entire life, which would be her true regret.

Lu Qiqi understood her words, "Don't worry, Aunt. Once these things are sorted out, we'll just wait for her bloodsucking family to come to the capital."

By then, she will be punished for murder, fleeing, and swindling money by impersonating someone else. Even the Marquis of Anchang's mansion will not be able to protect her.

Perhaps even the Marquis of Anchang's mansion will suffer as a result!